Realization
Author's Note: Originally published on December 23, 2009
Ron shuffled into the festive wonderland previously known as his living room. Hermione had gone all out, from the ornament-laden tree to the bulging knit stockings hanging from the mantelpiece—a toddler sized one surrounded by two larger ones. A roaring fire warmed the surroundings and cast a flickering copper light on the room's occupants.
An unexpected lump rose in his throat as he watched Hermione delicately drape a blanket over Rose. His wife then sunk to the floor, her skirt covered legs tucked beneath her. A mysterious smile played across her lips as she leaned back against the sofa where their daughter was sleeping after a fun-filled Christmas Eve at the Burrow.
He sat down next to Hermione and ghosted a kiss against her neck.
"Tonight was brilliant. Now, if only you would let me open a gift or two..."
"Go on."
"Really?" he asked in surprise. She always made him wait until Christmas morning.
"Yes, but your stocking only."
He scrambled to his feet and pulled it down, a boyish look of excitement on his face as he eagerly stuck his hand inside.
"A pear? No wonder you agreed to this."
Hermione chuckled. "Keep going."
He frowned when an apple followed, but this was remedied when he scooped out a pile of chocolate frogs. He popped one in his mouth, before examining the accompanying card.
"Keep going," she quietly urged.
He absentmindedly reached in and felt a scrap of cloth. He glanced at it for a second, before swallowing down the chocolate.
"How did Rosie's sock get in here?" he asked nonchalantly before returning to the card. When she didn't answer, he faced her, and his breathing stilled when he saw the tears rolling down her glowing cheeks.
"Hermione?"
Realization dawned on his face as he looked at his hand. It was a stocking. A tiny, perfect stocking.
He crumpled to his knees in front of her, unable to fight the moisture pooling in his eyes. His hand immediately moved to her belly. "Another baby?"
She nodded her head and smiled through her joyful tears. "Happy Christmas, Ron."